DREAMBIG - MY OPRAH MOMENT

I've been home from California for 2 weeks, and ready to share with you my experiences from the OYOU conference in California and my Oprah moment. I had a hard time processing and articulating the magnitude of it. There was so much joy throughout the whole week, everyday was great. The smiles were big, and the laughter was loud. Have you ever experience so much joy you didn't know what to do with yourself? When we arrived in California Wednesday Oct 17th, the excitement was off the charts, but as we got closer to Saturday Oct 20th, the emotions were indescribable.

Although I was tired after having a late night with the OWN Ambassadors, I didn't let that get in the way, I was going on pure excitement, and adrenaline! While I was getting ready I was thinking today is THEE day. So much anticipation, excitement, and joy, today was going to be a great day!  Bionca, Justin, Jan, Misty, Eliza and myself all gathered in the lobby at our hotel and then headed to the car. Off we go, we were giddy like school kids. When we arrived at the convention center we parked the car and walked towards one of the biggest lines I have ever seen. I was like wow where is the end of the line, we eventually found it and took our spot. We were in the line up for maybe half an hour and then we were plucked out of the line and told to come with Nada where we ended up getting the VIP treatment.

We were guided past everyone and right through the doors to an area that was waiting for us. As I looked around there was Media allowed in, a few others, and the OWN Ambassadors. We were guided up an escalator and told to meet with Maya and Jai, Oprah's Marketing team. When we arrived at the area we were given an OWN Ambassador bracelet and given the schedule for the day. Everything was organized to a "Tee". One of our instructions was to meet at a certain area at 1:30 sharp for our private lunch with Oprah. Once everyone was signed in and registered we were escorted to the front row inside the conference area.

When we arrived to our seats, there were little OYOU keepsakes on our chairs and feel good music playing as people walked in. While the music was playing there were several of us that were dancing, and singing away. It felt so good to be there, we were treated so wonderfully. It was soon time for everyone to take their seats and welcome the guest speakers. Each speaker made such an impact on me. Over to my right I could see all the star players, celebrities and fellow guest speakers.

Suze Ormon talked about needs vs wants. She also talked about giving back, it is like a cycle of life, when you give back it comes back to you two fold. I really enjoyed Suze words, they really resonated with me. When Dr. Phil spoke, he was to the point and talked about the importance of women taking care of themselves. When Mama ain't good, ain't no one else good. Whenever I hear Iyanla speak, I am just mesmerized by her sheer honesty and straightforwardness. She talked about keeping it real, and calling a thing a thing. She also touched base on the importance of taking care of "YOU".  Listening to Peter Walsh was hilarious. I had no idea he was so funny, he is a great speaker, and just knows his audience. When he spoke, he talked about organization and the memories of stuff. There are different type of people who save stuff. I forget his terminology, but I am like a memory keeper, I tend to keep stuff because of memories. His message was clear, you can achieve happiness through organization. There were a few other speakers but due to our lunch we were not able to attend the others.

The OWN Ambassadors all made their way to the gathering spot for 1:30 pm. Our hearts were beating out of our chest and the excitement was palpable. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. Meeting Oprah has been on my bucket list forever, I can't believe this is about to happen. Once everyone arrived we were escorted up the stairs to a small intimate conference room. As I walked in I noticed pink and lightly coloured flowers on each table and the buffet was beautifully arranged. Before we were directed to our tables we signed in and given a name tags.

Once everyone was seated we were given instructions from Maya and Jai about what to expect. No cameras or videos,  we were not allowed to take any pictures. I did take a few of the tables and buffet table prior to them telling us. Oprah's photographer provided a personal photo opportunity for each of us with Oprah. While I was looking around I noticed there were alot of security, apparently the whole area on the floor was secured off. There were approximately 35 OWN Ambassadors, and a few of Oprah's people that were gathered for the lunch. As we sat there, Iyanla Vanzant popped in to say hello. What an honour, she is amazing, she talked to each of us and is so personable. Once she got to our table, we shouted that we are the Canadian OWN Ambassadors, she gave us mad props. She loves us Canadians. While she was there with us, Paolo (A fellow Ambassador) invited her to his after party for the evening with us, and she showed up. I totally couldn't believe it. That will be in my next blog.

Each table had an empty seat, the empty seat was beside myself and Nada. We were told Oprah is going to come around and talk to each of us. Nada and I were making sure the spot was clean, and welcoming for Oprah LOL. I was like holy wow, she is going to sit right beside me. In the meantime, Eric Logan, the president of OWN came and made his way to each table. I could not get over how approachable and real he was. It was like I was talking to a friend. We had some concerns we addressed with him regarding OWN Canada
(Re- Programming), and he gave us a name of the person that we need to talk to here in Canada. He really made us feel our concerns were being heard. He was also going to address it with the individual at OWN Canada as well. I was pleasantly surprised, he is just an all around super guy.

Now for the big moment, throughout lunch I kept looking at the door in anticipation for Oprah's arrival. Things got quiet, security was on high alert, the doors open and in walks Oprah. Wow, she is beautiful, and she is here, in the same room as me. Some people were shaky, and nervous. I was not nervous, I was totally okay, I just wanted to absorb every moment of every second. Oprah made her way to the front of the conference room where the pictures would be taken. We were all instructed at certain times to make our way to the line. Table number 4, can you please take your spot and prepare for your picture with Oprah. I was the second individual from our table to take a picture. I walked over to Oprah, and I told her it was an honour to meet her, thanked her for lunch and and gave her a big hug, then we both looked at the camera and George (Her photographer) snapped away.

Once everyone was done taking their pictures, Oprah spoke to all of us. She thanked us for all of our hard work, and said "You are all CARRIERS OF LIGHT, this group is a phenomenal testimony to that". She spoke about the Network and what her dreams would be, she dreams Super Soul Sunday will be a number 1 show one day. The OWN Ambassadors will do everything in our power to make that happen. I was in awe of Oprah, her energy was so gracious, and her words were so kind. When she finished speaking to us in a group, she went around to each table and spoke to us individually.

She started on the other side of the room, and while she was over there, Gayle walked in. She said hello to everyone and then asked Oprah if she minded if Entertainment Tonight could come in and do an interview. Oprah told her staff, someone go get me my shoes lol, they brought in these gold sparkly shoes, with at least a 5 inch heel, maybe more. Oprah wanted to be as tall as Nancy O'Dell, she is so tall. The interview was quick and once they finished ET left. Oprah resumed back to the tables. Eventually she made her way to our table, she came over, spoke to us, she was so excited that her Canadian Ambassadors were all sitting together. She told us about a speaking engagement in Calgary in January, and we all looked at each other and thought...ROADTRIP, or should I say Plane Ride LOL. She left us with her graciousness and her amazing energy, she truly is everything you see on TV. Her heart is big and her vision is huge. Together we will help grow OWN!

She finished up with us, and said goodbye. I sat in my chair and thought wow, did this really just happen. This is the start of something very huge. We are going to take this higher then we ever thought possible. I am so excited and proud to be an OWN Ambassador. This group lifts you up, and inspires you to do more, and be better. We arrived at 1:30 pm, and we left at 3:45 pm, this was the best couple of hours I ever had in my life. Feeling truly blessed!

I will leave you with this...If you want something bad enough, think about it, live it, dream it, envision it. It will manifest, that is how dreams come true. DREAM BIG, I did and great things are happening!

Thanks for stopping by...

Much Love,
Shelley

The Sargent was there and spoke about his charity to Oprah